Man murders girlfriend, beaten to death by irate crowd in Njoro

Shocked Ruth Mwenesi (centre) a cousin to Sharon Mmbone, a fourth year student at Egerton University Njoro campus, who was allegedly killed by her estranged boyfriend Hillary Nandasaba at Njokerio slums in Njoro town on February 27,2016. (PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH/ STANDARD)

A casual labourer allegedly murdered his girlfriend, a fourth year Education student at the Egerton University, yesterday.

Reports say that, using a kitchen knife, Hilary Nandasaba attacked Sharon Mmbone at their single-room house in Njokerio Estate, outside the university’s main campus in Njoro.

The killer later succumbed to his injuries after students and neighbours beat him. The couple’s three-month-old baby survived the murderous rage.

Neighbours said they heard commotion as Mmbone tried in vain to escape the wrath of her boyfriend. The two started quarreling at about 8pm before screams as the woman called for help rent the air.

Henrica Kasudi, a neighbour, rushed to her rescue but found the door locked from inside.

“I could hear the boyfriend vowing to kill her together with the baby and I asked my neighbours to come help break the steel door,” said Ms Kasudi.

But they were too late. Nandasaba stabbed his lover and poured paraffin on the mattress where the baby lay, with intention of setting it on fire. But the neighbours managed to rescue the baby.

The mob attacked Nandasaba and threatened to kill him. Witnesses said he attempted to chop off his genitals using the same knife he had killed the mother of his child with.

Police officers rescued him from the mob and rushed him to the university’s hospital located inside the institution. But the students blocked the entrance to the hospital, threatening to burn the ambulance. It was during the melee that the casual labourer died.

Jonathan Kinuthia, a neighbour, said the couple had been having wrangles. 

“The two used to quarrel but Mmbone always kept it to herself. She never disclosed her problems though she was attending lessons irregularly,” said Mr Kinuthia.

The bodies were taken to the Egerton University morgue awaiting post mortem, while the baby was handed over to grandparents.

A students’ leader Edwin Amisi called on police to improve their response time whenever a crime is reported.